The DECD/OCC Credentialing Branch is responsible for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program, Early Childhood Accreditation Project, Training Vouchers/Reimbursement, Accreditation Support Awards, Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund, and Training Approvals.

The Credentialing Branch's goals are to ensure that:

Child care providers have access to quality training opportunities; and

The Maryland ChildCare Credential Program is a voluntary program that recognizes child care providers who go beyond the requirements of State licensing and registration regulations. There are six credential levels, each one recognizing a child care provider’s achievement of a specified number of training clock hours, experience and professional activities important for providing quality child care programs. Participating providers are required to complete training in six Core of Knowledge areas that will help them develop the knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for the children and families they serve. The Maryland Child Care Credential Program is regulated under COMAR 13A.14.09.

Early ChildhoodAccreditation ProjectEarly childhood education programs are intended to bestow immediate and long-term benefits to young children.Research suggests that only programs that are of a high quality result in long-term benefits.An effective way for a program to reach standards of high quality is to undergo a process of State or national accreditation.The Credentialing Branch helps coordinate the accreditation application process for early care and education programs and provides support and technical assistance to programs considering the accreditation process.

Program Incentives are available to registered and licensed child care facilities based on their participation in the Maryland Child Care Credential or Tiered Reimbursement programs.

·The Accreditation Support Fund is available to any registered or licensed facility in Maryland to pay for the cost of program accreditation application fee for a national accreditation organization. Accreditation Support Fund requirements are set forth at COMAR 13A.14.10.

Child CareTraining Approval falls into three major categories, Pre-service Training, Core of Knowledge training and Continued Training. The Office of Credentialing is responsible for approving individuals and organizations to offer training to Maryland’s child care provider community. The Office also approves coursework to be used toward meeting the requirements of the Maryland Child Care Credential and child care registration and licensing regulations. Child care training approval requirements are regulated under COMAR 13A.14.08.

To maintain consistency in providing information to the child care community on credentialing programs, trainers are encouraged to use the Credentialing Program PowerPoint presentation. Click HERE to view the presentation.The Child Care Career andProfessional Development Fund (CCCPDF)For child care providers and staff who are participating in the Credentialing Program, funding is available through the CCCPDF to pursue a college degree in early childhood education, education for children, child development, family studies, or related disciplines.The CCCPDF is regulated under COMAR 13A.14.09.08.

Have questions or need more information about Credentialing Branch programs? Contact us:- by e-mail:credentialocc.msde@maryland.gov- by phone: 410-767-7852